West Bank – The Palestinian unity government on Sunday condemned Israel for arresting more than 100 Hamas and Islamic Jihad members in the West Bank in response to the Thursday kidnapping of three Israeli youths.
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The government also condemned Israeli air raids on the Gaza Strip in response to the firing of rockets at Israel in the past few days.
Palestinian government spokesman Ehab Bessaiso told reporters in Ramallah that the latest escalation in security measures was in the context of Israel’s “collective punishment” against the Palestinians.
He called on the international community to intervene and demand that Israel halt its latest measures, including the siege on Hebron and its refusal to allow families of prisoners held in Israel to visit their sons.
The PLO leadership condemned Israel for holding the PA responsible for the safety of the three Israeli youths who were kidnapped in the West Bank.
“The Israeli government can’t hold the Palestinians responsible for security in occupied territories,” the spokesman said, referring to Area C of the West Bank, where the three boys were kidnapped from, and which is under Israeli security control.
A statement published by the PLO Executive Committee, following a meeting in Ramallah chaired by PA President Mahmoud Abbas, accused Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu of waging a “racist campaign” against the Palestinians.
The statement said that Netanyahu’s “false allegations” were intended to cover up for Israel’s failure to prevent the kidnapping, and condemned it for imposing “collective punishment” on the Palestinians, especially in the Hebron area, as part of efforts to locate the kidnapped youths.
The PA Foreign Ministry denounced the latest Israeli security measures in the West Bank, including the arrest of Hamas and Islamic Jihad members and officials.
The ministry said that Netanyahu alone bears responsibility for the “terrorist and hostile actions of his settlers,” and that Israel’s “arrogance” would soon make it face “international accountability.”
Palestinian sources said that the IDF arrested on Saturday night 113 Hamas and Islamic Jihad members and officials in the West Bank.
Among those arrested were several Hamas legislators, including Hassan Youssef, Mohammed Totah, Ibrahim Abu Salem, Fadel Hamdan and Hassan Bourini.
Content is provided courtesy of the Jerusalem Post
You got to give them credit they have nerve but you got to give them credit it would be nice if Israel had the same ….. Like they have. basically Israel caters so they come to the party that’s basically what it is.how Israel lets them get away with this is incredible
There is no such thing as “occupied territories”. Every inch of Israeli land was gotten because the arabs decided to wage war on Israel and they lost. They should stop their whining, admit that they are murderers and get off our land!
Every statement by the so-called Palestinian unity government is arrogant. They condemn Israel for defending itself against air rockets. They blame Israel for the kidnapping of Israeli teenagers. Do they even believe this nonsense themselves?
Change the headline from West Bank – PA Condemns Israel For Arrest of Hamas and Islamic Jihad Members TO West Bank – PA Condemns Israel For Arrest of Hamas and Islamic Jihad kidnappers
I can’t wait for the Obama administration to publish their reaction that Israel’s response is overly harsh
You don’t like it? Well then you are welcome to GET OUT OF OUR LAND!